City of Brandon Recreation Facilities Master Plan

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1 2.7 Specialty Recreation (Refer to Map 1F, Page 55) Specialty Recreation combines: Skateboarding, Snowboarding, and BMX Riding. All of these recreation types have specific facility requirements that in the absence of a formal facility are being performed in areas potentially unsafe, if not illegal for the user. As the motto for the organization Skaters for Public Skateparks suggests: If your City does not have a skatepark, it IS a skatepark, the demand around the world for these facilities is now stronger than ever. Participation in each of these activities is hard to measure as they are not regulated, or conducive to membership or registration. Despite this fact the demand for facilities has become apparent both in Brandon and in every municipality in Canada in order to provide both safe and affordable opportunities for our youth to be active. 1. SKATEBOARD FACILITIES (SK) Wheat City Skateboard Association There is some increase anticipated in this sport. Due to the low cost of entry associated with it, there will continue to be a demand for community facilities and when not provided, informal areas will be used 1 Multi-skill Level Park Lighting 2 Recreation Parks / Opportunities 1 Modular Skateboard Park Queen Elizabeth Park 1 Skateboard Modules (for young children) - Keystone Habitat for Humanity Playground site (by Brandon General Hospital) Numerous informal public and private sites Existing Partnerships Land provided by the City for development of the modular skateboard park by the Wheat City Skateboard Association at Queen Elizabeth Park There is currently a request by the Wheat City Skateboard Association to expand the size of the land that is currently available at the modular park To find formal locations throughout the City that will accept this type of recreation opportunity 52

2 Develop skateboard park downtown at 9 th and Princess Avenue Develop additional smaller scale skateboard opportunities to support the recreation hub strategy: 1 Park Sir Winston Churchill Park 1 Park Rideau Park Incorporate skateboard elements into the existing pathway network to encourage the use of path systems between more formal locations in order to improve safety to both the riders and general citizens. 2. BMX FACILITY (BMX) There is some increase anticipated in this sport. Due to the low cost of entry associated with it, there will continue to be a demand for community facilities and when not provided informal areas will be used 1 BMX Park Small informal hills located at Coronation Park Larger informal hills located at North End Community Centre To find formal locations throughout the City that will accept this type of recreation opportunity Provide additional formal development to the BMX facility at the North End Community Centre Develop additional informal BMX hills to support the recreation hub strategy: 3 rd and Aberdeen Sir Winston Churchill Park 3. SNOWBOARDING (SN) There is some increase anticipated in this sport. Due to the low cost of entry associated with it, there will continue to be a demand for community facilities Sculptured snow facilities For the 2007 season, attempt to create a snowboarding opportunity at Riverbank Discovery Centre 53

3 To find formal locations throughout the City that will accept this type of recreation opportunity Develop additional small informal hills to support the recreation hub strategy: 1 Riverbank Discovery Centre 1 Sir Winston Churchill Park 54

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5 2.8 General Leisure Recreation (Refer to Map 1G, page 64) General Leisure Recreation combines: Walking/Running, Fitness Stations, Tobogganing, Volleyball (Outdoor), Basketball (Outdoor), Playground Structures, Lawn Bowling, Ski Trails, Golfing, and Picnic Areas. The following recommendations identify additions and improvements to an already well-established set of general leisure activities. There are many successes within these activity facilities that shall continue to be built upon while maintaining sufficient resources to maintain and operate that which is existing. Of these, one of the local Golf facilitie, the Brandon Recreation Centre or Wheat City Golf Course, is in need of major renovations to alleviate poor site drainage, insufficient dyking and deteriorating overall playing quality to meet current trends and needs in the golf course industry. The last five years have seen a lease of operations that indicates a decrease in rounds played; the decline is relatively consistent when compared with golf courses throughout Manitoba. Despite a number of years when rains and flooding have significantly shortened the golf season, the course has managed to maintain a profit on operations. Capital improvements over this time have been simply emergency measures to patch larger issues. To be consistent with its control over riverbank land, it is important for the City to retain ownership of the land, where taxes on the land (according to present zoning) would spin off very little economic input. Further, the course is used significantly for other community-based uses (Ski Trails, Tennis, Tobogganing) proving itself to be a significant community asset. 1. WALKING / RUNNING (WR) Brandon Running Club There is an ever increasing demand for walking / running opportunities as users become more aware of the health benefits of partaking in this type of recreation. Due to the low cost of entry associated with it, there will continue to be a demand for community facilities Walking paths located throughout the community Outdoor walking / running track Indoor walking / running track Walking paths located throughout the community Outdoor walking / running track located at the Sportsplex Varying indoor walking opportunities at the Brandon Shoppers Mall and the Keystone Centre City owned facility Sportsplex / walking trails To find the funding to expand the pathways throughout the City at a rate that is being demanded by the community To find an indoor walking / running facility that will meet the actual needs of the user, rather than by convenience 56

6 Expand the existing pathways as per the Greenspace Master Plan and to connect the various recreation hubs to the neighbouring communities Convert the pool portion of the Sportsplex to a multi-use recreation floor incorporating running and walking opportunities for the public for a minimal user fee Create visitor information boards throughout the City illustrating layout, attractions and activities 2. FITNESS STATIONS (FS) There is an ever increasing desire to have fitness stations located along the pathways that provide both direction and equipment for stretching of arms and legs. Modular stretching equipment and pads Signage None To consider the introduction of this type of leisure equipment for adults along the pathways in the community 3. TOBOGGANING (TB) This will continue to be a strong winter activity for families A large hill with no obstacles along its run or near the bottom that is accessible by both vehicle and foot traffic Wheat City Recreation Centre trees located along the side and near the bottom Rideau Park trees located at the bottom of the run 34 th Street small run for little children Parkdale Park medium run The location of the current hills limits the amount of users due to the need for vehicle transportation 57

7 City owned facilities City installs snow fencing at the Wheat City Recreation Centre at the bottom of the toboggan hill Develop additional toboggan hills to support the Recreation Hub strategy: Sir Winston Churchill Park 3 rd & Aberdeen Reconfigure and remove some of the trees at the bottom of the hill at in Rideau Park 4. VOLLEYBALL OUTDOOR (V) Outdoor Volleyball League Beach volleyball is a growing sport in Brandon and is expected to continue to be strong based on the low cost of entry. Proximity to washrooms Grass/shaded area to relax in 1 - Stanley Park 1 - Keystone Centre 1 - Vincent Massey 1 - Harrison Middle School 2 - Curran Park Existing Partnerships Some of the courts are maintained by the user groups under an informal arrangement, while others are maintained by the City of Brandon or the School Division No central multi-court location in close proximity to amenities available for tournament play City owned facility at Stanley Park Develop additional beach volleyball courts to support the Recreation Hub strategy: 1-3 rd & Aberdeen 1 - Sir Winston Churchill Park 1 Westridge Park/Linden Lanes School 4 courts along the Riverbank Corridor 58

8 5. BASKETBALL OUTDOOR (B) School Division Use Pickup basketball continues to be a popular recreation opportunity because of its low cost entry into the sport Asphalt pad and net School Grounds A few neighborhood parks Develop and / or improve basketball pads to support the Recreation Hub strategy: 3 rd & Aberdeen Valleyview Westridge Stanley Park Rideau Park Sir Winston Churchill Park 6. PLAYGROUND STRUCTURES (PS) There will be a continual demand for these throughout the community in greenspaces. The location of these structures is outlined in the Greenspace Master Plan and will continue to be implemented in support of that plan Basic equipment will be incorporated in conjunction with the Greenspace Master Plan. Expanded and/or larger sized and/or new play components will be incorporated in conjunction with the Recreation Hub strategy School Grounds Greenspaces Existing Partnerships Brandon School Division Parent Councils Service Groups 59

9 There is still a lot of equipment throughout the community that requires upgrading There are community groups that want to see their equipment upgraded in the short term even though there is equipment that requires upgrading more urgently City owned greenspace Develop, relocate and / or augment playground structures to support the Recreation Hub strategy: 3 rd & Aberdeen Valleyview Westridge Park Sir Winston Churchill Park Stanley Park Rideau Park Continue to replace playground equipment in support of the Greenspace Master Plan 7. LAWN BOWLING (LB) Wheat City Lawn Bowling Association Stanley Park Lawn Bowling Association Participation rates have remained stable over the past five years and there is no indication that there will be an increase in demand None Two facilities; Rideau Park Stanley Park Existing Partnerships Wheat City Lawn Bowling Association Stanley Park Lawn Bowling Association City owned greenspace None 60

10 8. SKI TRAILS RECREATION TRAILS (ST) Recreational Use Westman Wilderness Club There is an ongoing desire to have these trails located in the Community There is not anticipated to be a large amount of growth in this area Groomed formal trails Wheat City Recreation Centre Golf Course Groomed Trail Lighting Brandon Hills Groomed Trails The trails located at the Recreation Centre are groomed by the City of Brandon The trails located at the Recreation Centre are groomed by the City of Brandon Develop groomed trails along the River Corridor in conjunction with the Winter Lights and skating trails so that multiple activities are available in the area 9. GOLFING RECREATION CENTRE (G) Numerous Golf Leagues and Tournaments The sport of golf is growing nationally and, locally, there appears to be a strong participant base There is a need for courses in the community that have: Differing skill levels 9 and 18 hole configurations The Wheat City Golf Course 18 Holes City owned Deer Ridge Golf Course 9 Holes Privately owned Glen Lea Golf Course 18 Holes Privately owned Sunny Side Golf Course 18 Holes Privately owned Twin Pines Golf Course 9 Holes Privately owned The Wheat City Golf Course is City owned and funded 61

11 The Wheat City Golf Course will require a substantial amount of capital investment in order to resolve the drainage issues on the course The public consultation surrounding the Wheat City Golf Course indicated that many would like to see the facility remain under the ownership of the City but be completely operated and maintained through a long term lease situation In discussions with groups who have entered into long term lease situations for golf courses, they have unanimously advised us that in order to enter in a sustainable agreement, the drainage issue would need to be resolved The public consultation clearly indicated that a majority of citizens do not want to see the City operate and maintain the course Losses at the course are funded through general revenue of the City The public consultation indicated that a majority of citizens want the course to be protected against housing developments and want it to remain a 18 hole golf course The Brandon Recreation Centre has other amenities (curling, tennis, tobogganing and cross country ski trails) that need to be considered in the making a decision on the facility Circulate a call for proposals to operate and maintain the golf course independent of the City of Brandon on a long-term lease. The proposals to lease the facility should include plans for capital improvement, detailed monitoring and reporting of all golf operations and detailed financial considerations Maintain the agricultural zoning for the Recreation Centre property including the golf course, now and in the long-term. If there is any future consideration for sale of the golf course, it is to be contingent on retaining the existing zoning and maintaining the site as a golf course 10. PICNIC AREAS (PA) Event Planners This continues to be a popular attraction in any community. Picnic tables and garbage containers Canada Games Park - Public Curran Park - Private Dinsdale Park - Public Eleanor Kidd Park - Public Princess Park - Public Queen Elizabeth Park - Public 62

12 Rideau Park - Public Stanley Park - Public Riverbank Discovery Centre - Public Most of the existing facilities are located in publicly owned and operated greenspaces Picnic tables and garbage containers often face vandalism and damage, so there is an ongoing cost of upkeep and maintenance At times these areas are not used due to loitering by groups that are not using the areas for picnicking activities Newcomers/visitors often don t know where the picnic areas are and what amenities are available in each one City funds public parks Display the names of each park at key entrance locations Create visitor information boards - setting out the layout, attractions and activities Complete an analysis of each park as they relate to CPTED principals and implement the necessary improvements to improve visibility in each park Develop and fund a picnic area equipment replacement plan Establish picnic areas at all Recreation Hub locations 63

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